News: Tigers C Alex Avila told ESPN.com on Friday that Miguel Cabrera has lost 20-25 pounds this offseason in anticipation of his move to third base. Cabrera, who played first base each of the last few seasons, is moving to the hot corner with Prince Fielder signing with Detroit in the offseason. Cabrera batted .344 with 30 home runs and 105 RBI in 2011.
Analysis: Cabrera came up as an infielder and has shown in the past that he can play the hot corner. His size has been one of the bigger question marks on whether or not he can last an entire season at third base so shedding some weight should help the process. Good thing for Fantasy owners is that his defense will not affect on his value, and he should continue to mash at the plate for Detroit. Add to the fact that he will gain duel eligibility and owners should target Cabrera as a Top 5 Fantasy option on Draft Day.
News: The Red Sox signed RP Sean White to a minor-league deal on Friday. The right-hander posted a 5.68 ERA in 53 appearances in the minors for the Rockies last season.
Analysis: White has a career 4.16 ERA and last pitched in the majors in 2010. Even if he breaks camp with the big club, plan on ignore him in all Fantasy formats on Draft Day.
News: CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports that the Yankees have made an offer to the Pirates that would send SP A.J. Burnett to Pittsburgh. However, the Pirates rebuffed the offer, which would have involved sending OF Garrett Jones to the Yankees, with the Pirates paying more than one-third of the $33 million remaining on Burnett's contract. While the Pirates have insisted on keeping Jones, the two parties have continued their negotiations, though they are reportedly still millions apart on the salary relief issue.
Analysis: While the Pirates are unlikely to offer the kind of run support that Burnett could receive in New York, a move to the NL could be beneficial to the righty. Home runs have hurt Burnett greatly over the last two seasons, but PNC Park would be a much friendlier place for him to pitch, plus he wouldn't have to face the designated hitter in NL games. Stay tuned to see if these talks progress any further, as Burnett would be a viable option in NL-only leagues, as well as some deeper mixed leagues.
News: CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports that the Yankees offered A.J. Burnett to the Pirates, but had asked for OF Garrett Jones in return. The Pirates balked at the offer, as they want to hold on to Jones. However, negotiations for a trade involving Burnett are ongoing, as the teams are differing on how much of Burnett's salary that Yankees should pay.
Analysis: Should the Pirates change their minds, Jones would certainly benefit from a move to the Yankees and their homer-friendly park. However, it appears that Jones will be staying put in Pittsburgh, where he will remain an option mostly for owners in NL-only leagues.
News: Nationals prospect Zachary Walters was chosen to play in the Arizona Fall League this offseason and has opened some eyes with his play. While he batted just .205 with one homer and 10 RBI through 24 games, Washington infield coordinator Jeff Garber told MASNSports.com that he has been impressed with the 22-year-old. "Tremendous, tremendous athletic ability," Garber said when asked about Walters. "He has great instincts and is a very aggressive player. I really like what I saw. He has some things to polish, to shore up. He has got the versatlity to move around the infield and change positions, as we saw in Arizona where he played third base. He played (both positions for Single-A Potomac) and showed a tremendous arm."
Analysis: Walters, who was acquired for Jason Marquis from Arizona, batted .300 with nine home runs, 67 RBI and 19 stolen bases between two levels of the minors last season and is expected to begin 2012 with Double-A Harrisburg. He has some decent upside but since he is probably a year or two away from making an impact in the majors, continue to view Walters as more of a long-term prospect at this point.
News: The Orioles designated OF Matt Angle for assignment on Friday. Angle batted .177 with one homer, seven RBI and 11 stolen bases in 31 games in the majors last season.
Analysis: Angle has been playing some infield this offseason to enhance his chances of making the majors in 2012 but this move does not bode well for that. Plan on ignoring the 26-year-old in all Fantasy formats on Draft Day.
News: The Cardinals agreed to sign RP Scott Linebrink to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training on Friday. Linebrink pitched in 64 games with the Braves last season, going 4-4 with a 3.64 ERA.
Analysis: Linebrink had been frequently bitten by the home run bug in his years with the White Sox, but he fared much better with Atlanta. Should he make the Cardinals' squad, pitching his home games at Busch Stadium should help to subdue Linebrink's home run tendencies. He is a low-end option for owners in leagues that use middle relievers.
News: The San Jose Mercury News reports that former Giants 3B prospect Angel Villalona had his work visa approved by the U.S. Immigration Service, and for the first time since 2009, he can return to the U.S. Villalona was charged with murder by authorities in the Dominican Republic back in Sept. 2009, but he was recently cleared of all charges. The Giants expect Villalona to arrive for spring training when all position players are required to report on Feb. 23.
Analysis: Villalona has been incarcerated or on house arrest for much of the last two years, so he will need time to get back into playing shape. He could spend time at extended spring training after camp breaks, so it could be awhile before he even gets to resume his minor league career. However, Villalona is only 21, so he could still have a big league career ahead of him. He could be worth a flier in long-term keeper leagues.
News: Twins 2B Luke Hughes, who injured his right shoulder while playing winter ball in Australia, will miss three to four weeks with the injury. According to MLB.com, Hughes has been diagnosed with a sprained shoulder. Hughes hit .223 with seven home runs in 96 games last season.
Analysis: Hughes won't be ready for the beginning of spring training, but he shouldn't miss much time. He is expected to win a bench role as a utility player. Hughes has decent pop, and he should be able to cobble together some playing time, making him a viable low-end option in AL-only leagues.
News: The Indians signed SS Asdrubal Cabrera to a one-year deal worth $4.55 million on Friday, avoiding arbitration, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. Cabrera had requested $5.2 million, while the Indians' offer was set at $3.75 million.
Analysis: Cabrera more than doubles his salary from the 2011 season, and he earned himself a sizable raise with a breakout season. It could be a long shot for him to post another 20-plus homer season, but Cabrera still ranks among the top six shortstops heading into the 2012 campaign.
